Florida gave up a first period lead within a couple minutes of earning it but eventually took advantage of a late even-strength tally to down divisional rival South Carolina. The win put Florida into a first-place tie with Gwinnett for the South Division lead. The Everblades, who ratcheted up the offense a notch in hitting 40 shots on goal against the Stingrays, also hold a game in hand on the Gladiators. Danick Gauthier notched his third assist, a primary dish on the power play approaching the midpoint of the first, of the season. It was Gauthier's third-straight game with a point and the fourth time in five games he registered at least a goal or an assist. Though he wasn't credited as being one of the stars of the game, Pat Nagle, back in net for Florida after being assigned from AHL Syracuse following the return of Cedrick Desjardins to the Crunch, turned in a stellar performance with 29 stops on 30 shots against. Alex Hutchings also was back in the lineup for the Everblades after being returned by AHL Syracuse. Florida (33-20-11, 77 PTS) continues its five-game home stand Friday night when it squares of against South Carolina(34-25-7, 75 PTS) in the second of three consecutive matches the two teams will play against each other.

Florida fell behind 1-0 midway through the second period before evening the score with just over seven minutes remaining to force the extra session but Kalamazoo claimed the extra point by prevailing in the shootout. It was a tough-luck loss for netminder Jesse Deckert, who, making his fourth start for Florida, has put up some pretty decent numbers (2.45 GAA, .925 SV%, averaging 30 saves per game) after signing a try-out contract. Danick Gauthier had the primary dish on the lone Everblades goal, an even-strength tally defenseman Mike Ratchuk. Gauthier has now registered at least a point in three of the four games he has played since being assigned from AHL Syracuse and is also averaging 3.5 shots per game. Florida (32-20-11, 75 PTS) starts a five-game home stand with a crucial match, the first of three consecutive, against South Carolina (34-24-7, 75 PTS), which is tied with the Everblades in the South Division standings, Wednesday night.

Danick Gauthier's three-point (2 G, 1 A) night helped power visiting Florida over host Fort Wayne for their fourth-straight win, which moved the Everblades within a point of Gwinnett, which lost, for the South Division lead on Saturday night. Jesse Deckert, a 26-year old netminder signed to a tryout contract, moved to 3-0 after starting Florida's last three games. Gauthier, making his fourth appearance since being assigned to the Everblades from AHL Syracuse, showcased the offensive prowess he possesses in his big frame with two power play tallies in the first and second periods, in both cases working his way around the net to grab and bury loose rebounds, and by adding the only assist on Florida's second short-handed goal and last of the evening late in the third frame. Charles Landry's ground-breaking point streak (2 games) came to a screeching halt while fellow defender Dan Milan was inactive. Florida (32-20-10, 74 PTS) finishes its road swing with an afternoon match against Kalamazoo (31-26-4, 67 PTS).

Florida blew a 1-1 tie open with two goals in the second period, another early in the final period and then kept pace with a couple late Fort Wayne strikes to earn its third-straight victory. The win kept the Everblades in sole possession of second-place in the South division, with two games in hand on South Carolina, which trails by a point, and with three games in hand on Gwinnett, which has a lead of three points. A primary assist on Matthew Pistilli's empty-netter gave Dan Milan his first multigame point streak of the season. Charles Landry's two secondary helpers gave him his first points since rejoining the club in late February. Florida (31-20-10, 72 PTS) and Fort Wayne (29-29-3, 61 PTS) square off again Saturday night.

Defenseman Brent Henley scored the game-winner with just 26 seconds remaining in overtime to give Florida, which squandered a 4-1 lead it had built up over the course of the first two periods, a key victory that keeps the visitors in the hunt for the South Division title. Danick Gauthier, in his first game action after being assigned from Syracuse, scored the fourth goal for the Everblades midway through the second period after throwing the puck on net from the boards and getting a fortunate bounce off the opposing goalkeeper. Dan Milan pounced on loose rebound for his first goal in 32 games, which gave the visitors a 2-1 lead late in the first frame. Florida (30-20-10, 70 PTS) continues its four-game road trip Friday night against Fort Wayne (29-28-3, 61 PTS).

Florida got back to winning ways, taking a 3-1 lead early in the third period that held up against Gwinnett, which struck late with the man advantage to make things a bit more interesting in the final minute. Florida outshot the Gwinnett 15-7 in the final frame and 36-26 in the contest. After surrendering three or more goals in his last four starts, Pat Nagle was sharp in net for the Everblades. Alex Hutchings remains with Syracuse of the AHL. Florida (29-20-10, 68 PTS) begins a four-game road trip with a Wednesday night tilt against Cincinnati (37-17-6, 80 PTS). The Cyclones currently sit atop the North Division standings.

Florida was able narrow the gap to one after falling behind by a couple goals midway through the first and late in the second periods not after Readingstruck again in final frame. The Everblades held the Royals to just 19 shots on goal in the contest but the visitors won the special teams battle, scoring on three of their five power play chances while limiting Florida to just one conversion on an equal number of opportunities with the man-advantage. Charles Landry, just returned from his call-up to Syracuse, was back in the lineup for the first time in three weeks. Alex Hutchings remains with the Lightning's AHL affiliate. Florida (28-19-10, 66 PTS) next hosts Gwinnett (34-23-3, 71 PTS), currently at the head of the South division standings, Friday night.

Despite being more than doubled up in shots, Florida dispatched their heavyweight divisional rivals for the third-straight time, this time at home after taking both wins on the road over the weekend, to move within two points of a tie for 1st place. Florida built up a commanding 5-2 lead heading into the final frame on the strength of three power play tallies, including two in the first ten minutes of the contest. Both teams had six opportunities with the man advantage but Gwinnett, to Florida's credit, was only able to convert once. Gwinnett scored a shorthanded goal with nine seconds remaining in regulation to top off a furious third period comeback attempt during which the Gladiators held the Everblades to just two shots while posting fourteen of their own. Florida's captain and leading scorer Mathieu Roy notched a hat trick. Pat Nagle served as backup to Rob Madore for the third-straight game. Alex Hutchings and Charles Landry remain with Syracuse of the AHL. After playing four games over the last five days, Florida (28-17-9, 65 PTS) has a couple days to rest before playing host to Evansville (19-30-5, 43 PTS), which currently brings up the rear of the North Division, on Friday night.

Corey Trivino converted a penalty shot attempt late in the second period to push Florida, which played its third-consecutive game in as many days, out to a 3-1 lead that stood through the remainder of the contest. The win marked back-to-back victories over their South Division-leading rivals and pulled the ‘Blades to within four points of first-place. Florida was outshot 40-25 in the match. Both teams went 0-for-4 with the man-advantage. With Alex Hutchings and Charles Landry still up with Syracuse of the AHL, Dan Milan and Pat Nagle, who again sat as backup, were the only Lightning prospects in the lineup. Florida (27-17-9, 63 PTS), which has won eleven of its last thirteen matches, and Gwinnett (32-21-3, 67 PTS) reconvene Tuesday in Estero in what will be the Everblades' fourth game in five nights.

Florida rallied back after falling behind 2-0 in the first minute of the second period but South Carolina scored late in the third period to earn its third-straight victory and pull within a point of the visiting Everblades in the South division standings. After going scoreless over the past six games, Dan Milan registered a secondary assist on Brody Sutter's second-period goal which tied the game heading into the final frame. Pat Nagle is now 1-1 with a shootout loss in five February appearances. Florida (24-17-9, 57 PTS) continues its road trip against Greenville (29-17-5, 63 PTS) on Friday night.